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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5228, 24 December 1877, Page 2

Within the past few days considerable progress has been made at the waterworks, the joining of the pipes in the old tunnel having been completed, and upwards of a score of the large waste pipes having been also united. The bridge connecting the tower with the bank is about finished, and the house surmounting the tower is almost completed. This gives a picturesque and finished appearance to this part of the work. It is satisfactory to find, now that so much attention has been called to the matter, that an effort is being made to conclude the work as soon as possible. The vital statistics of the colony for the month of November show the number of births and deaths at the chief centres of population to have been as follows;—-

There were 26 deaths from zymotic diseases, of which 14 occurred in Wellington. Two out of three deaths from typhoid fever also occurred here. Seven accidental deaths are recorded ; one by being run over by a railway truck, another from the effects of a fall, one, that of a miner, by fracturing his skull, one of a carter who was killed by the vehicle passing over him, one of an ■ hotelkeeper p isoned by strychnine, one of a woman found drowned in the River Avon, and one of a child overlain. The death-rate, it will be observed, was high in Wellington during the past month. The fourth of six monthly competitions for the City Rifles Challenge Medal and money prizes took place at the Polhill Gully range on Saturday afternoon. Although the light was changeable and a strong wind blowing from the rear, some good scores were made, the five highest being as follows ;

A cricket match will be played to-day on the Basin Reserve betwaen the Royal Oak and Star Clubs, play to commence at 11 o’clock sharp. The following is the Star team Armitage (captain), Glasson, Turner, Stephenson, Cameron, Howe, Rns-cll, W. St pies, ILmington, Humphries and Kembor. The same team of the Star’s will visit Pahautanni on Boxing Day, to play a local team at that place. A coaoli leaves .Mclntosh Hotel at 6 o’clock, at which time and place all members are requested to attend. Plans of seats for the Rev. diaries Clark’s “Christmas” entertainment, both for to-night and to-morrow, are now open at the Odd Fellows’ Hall. In our advertising columns will be found, a most interesting synopsis of “ Christmas in Old Enfland,” the product!) of which will be a notable event in the aunais of high-class public- amusements in Wellington. The final , rehearsal of the carols took place on Saturday afterhoori, when the choir of lady and gentlemen amateurs acquitted themselves adinirably. Mr. J. A. Edwards presided at the pianoforte. Messrs. Woods, Grosbie, and Co., butchers, Lambton-qnay, will exhibit to-day the carcase of- a somewhat,- remarkable Romney Marsh sheep. 1 The animal was bred by Mr. G. Galloway, one of the Pahautanui settlers, and weighs I 2321b5. It is unusually broad across the back, and the fat overhangs the hind quarter's, hut about the legs there io scarcely any fat at all. On Saturday a- great many people inspected this pastoral curiosity, which ivas then alive, and'several befh were made as to its weight. A cricket match will be played at Pahautanui on Boxing Day between an eleven of the Star Cricket Club of Wellington and an eleven of the Pahautanui Club. The wickets will be,pitched at 10 o’clock a.m. The following are the names of the Pahautanui team; — Messrs. A. Iggnlden, J. Bradv, H. Given, F. Death, D. Harris, G. Harris, E. Boulton, W. Tappin, 11. London, S. Jones, ami J. Gardner.

Notice is given that the banks will be closed to-day, to-morrow, and Wednesday for the Christmas holidays. We have to acknowledge the receipt ef a copy of the Wellington College examination papers and of the calendar. Copies of the latter can be obtained on application to Mr. Hughes, printer, &0., Lambton-quay, or from Mr. Graham, at the Education Office. The St. George’s Hall comic pantomime is progressing most satisfactorily. From the excellent manner in which the rehearsal was gone through on Saturday, “The Little Old Woman that Lived in a Shoe, Little Bopeep that Lost Her Sheep, and Harlequin Jack and the Bean Stalk” will be a great success. The opening takes place on Boxing night. A great number of people were attracted to the promenade concert at the Arcade on Saturday evening, and of those present many combined business with pleasure by making purchases at the stalls. The Arcade when lighted at night and full of people has a very gay and animated appearance, and when music is added to its attractions it makes a most agreeable lounge. The supplementary bazaar in aid of St. Peter’s Church rebuilding fund was opened yesterday, and was very well attended. There was a choice selection of useful and ornamental goods, including the contents of two large cases sent from England by Lady Vogel and Mrs. Pearce, which arrived here too late for the main bazaar. The result in a pecuniary sense must have been most encouraging. At the Resident Magistrate’s on before J. O. Crawford, Esq., R.M., William Jackson, a recent arrival by the Hurunui, who was stated to have been more or less under the influence of drink whilst at the Depot, was remanded for a week.—G. Hill, charged with driving round the corner of Lambton and Custom House quays at a pace faster than a walk, was fined sa. and costs.—James Harris, charged with leaving his horst and cart with no one to look after them in Alolesworth street the previous day, was fined 10s. and coats.—George Squires, charged with being drunk and allowing his horse to wander at large in the public thoroughfare near St. Andrew’s Church, was fined 205., with the alternative of forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. At the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening the “ Ticket-of-Leive Man” and “Robert Macaire” were played to a fair house, and were warmly received by the audience. Mr. Walton sustained the leading character in each piece with excellent effect, and was well supported by the companv. To-night Mr. Walton will appear as “ Rob Roy” in the great Scotch drama of that name. This gentleman is fast becoming a favorite with the Wellington public, and we are glad to see that the- management has made a re-engagement with him to appear during the Christmas week in a round of characters, in conjunction with the comic French pantomime. Mr. E. D. Hnygarth will also make his first appearance this evening as the Dougal Creature, he having been, we are informed, specially engaged to play the part, on this occasion. With this strong cast there ought to be a crowded house. The performance promises to be well worth seeing.

On Friday evening a' very pleasant entertainment was given in the Lower Hutt schoolroom, on the occasion of the commencement of the Christmas holidays.- Several ladies kindly assisted, and highly gratified the audience with some very beautiful and appropriate selections, of music ; and Mr. N. Valentine/ a member of the school committee, volunteered his valuable assistance with the flute. The recitations given by the children were exceedingly good, aud not only did great credit to them, but were further clear indications of the efficient manner in which the school has been conducted uuder its present master and mistress. One little boy, not much bigger than a quart cup, recited his piece in such a way as to bring down the house, and win a deserved encore ; and he left the stage with a shower of bouquets, and some more substantial acknowledgments. There being no member of the Education Board - present, the usual rewards for merit were not distributed. The funds derived from the entertainment were intended for the purpose of giving the children a fete during f e Christmas week;-but as the threatening aspect of the weather prevented many from a distance from attending, the takings fell rather short of what was anticipated. It is, however, hoped that those who take an interest in the school, as part of our educational system, may, at this holi-day-making time of the year, be ready to give some assistance towards the proposed treat for the little ones. Every little, helps.. The annual picnic in connection with the rp uwa Flat School took place ou the 12th inst., when, owing to the clay being fine, the people of the district made it a general holiday. The company drove round to one of the many beautiful promontories of the Porirua harbor, and there located themselves for the day in happy reunion. Owing to the presence of the Pahautanui band, and the weather being very fine, a most enjoyable day was spent. Mr. fioTtie, the teacher' of the school, was presented during the day with a handsome writing desk by Mi-s Kuigge and Miss Taylor on behalf o: themselves and their fellow scholars. On Friday, the 21st instant, the school prizes were distributed by Mr. Taylor, chairman of the school committee. In doing so he made some amusing remarks to the scholars on the methods adopted by even men of means to keep their accounts iu former times, and the blunders they made. He impressed on those present the importance of making good use of their time while at school. John Ryan received the first prize, he being the most advanced scholar in the school, Amelia Taylor first prize iu the third standard division, and Kate Morgan first prize f r the highest number of attendance marks—64B,—a system of marks instituted by Mr. Lee, the Inspector of Schools, to enjoin good attendance. To show the interest taken in education by the residents in the district, close on £2O was subscribed for rewards. They were both choice and valuable.

There has not been much progress made as' yet in the way of i hrhtmas decorations, but there is one noticeable exception. Looking at the outside of the Government Printing Otlice, it certainly presents anything but a picturesque appearance but to those made acquainted with the fact, quite a treat was in store for them last Friday evening. For the last' nine or ten years, the young people engaged iu the machine and bookbinding departments in that ollice have indulged iii the pastime of Christmas decorations at each successive season, and were encouraged and assisted by'the'heads of the departments—and we believe also by the Government Printer. This year, however, has eclipsed all the others. As. you enter the machine-room door, the words, “ A. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” catches, the eye ; and at the end of the room, “ Peace and Goodwill to All ” stands out prominently amidst a great profusion of flowers and ferns. The engine-room is not forgotten either. As the governors revolve round, a stranger might fancy a small flower-bed twisting and turning, so completely are they enveloped iu (lowers and .ferns and' co'ored papers. The pressroom is also decorated very nicely, presenting a very different aspect to what pressrooms generally do. The upstairs portion of the establishment, where the bookbinding is done, is even more profusely decorated than the machine department. , It is only natural to expect such a thing, for as soon as the visitor goes up stairs, he finds about fifteen or twenty young ladies in the folding-room ; and, as might be expected, the designs wrought by their fair hands (assisted, no doubt, by some members of the other sex in the bindingroom), were superior to those of the young Caxtonians. At one end of the room, “ A Merry Christmas,” in which each letter plays some fantastic shape, greets the visitor ; whilst at the other end of the room are representations of a large sirloin of the “ Roast beef of Old England,” afoaming jug of (home-brewed, we presume) beer, a huge wine decanter and glass ; and last, but not least, a huge plumpudding. As we looked on, wo could not help feeling a kind of wish that it were Christmas Day, and that we had the reality, and not the semblance, so close to hand. On the side-wall, “Long Live the Governor,” has a prominent place, and on the other side was what was

described to us as a colonial shield, viz., pickaxe,: shovel, &o. Going from the foldingroom into the binding-room, we observed the motto, “ God Save the Queen,” and underneath it, surrounded by a pretty banner-shaped • bordering, “Wishing you all the compliments of the season ; ” and on the opposite side,

“ Advance New Zealand,” in large letters. At the far end of the room is a mechanical scene, which rather surprises the visitor, being neither more nor less than a moonlight view of the “ Falla of Niagara.” Hocks and water are there in reality, whilst the Dog Island Lighthouse, with its red light, is distinctly visible. There is a rope suspended across the falls, and presently a representation of Blondiu’s dread exploit is given. The whole thing is most creditably got up, aud we could not help expressing a wish that the clever designer was known to those who are so busy with designs for the Christmas pantomimes. At the opposite end of the room to where the “Falla” stand, the old motto of “A Merry Christmas to all,” in designs which recall the

“ beautiful snow” and the Yule-log, stands out in bold relief. Taken altogether, we can hardly imagine that there will be any Christmas decorations to excel those we witnessed last night. The Government Printer and the heads of the departments are to be congratulated for encouraging such harmless pastimes among the young folk employed in the establishment ; and it is only right to add that the whole of the work was cheerfully done before and after the labors of the day. The whole affair is of a very cosmopolitan character. The (Irish banner, with tire words, “ Cead mille failthe,” hangs from one room, whilst the “ Stars and Stripes” of the United States keep watch over the American side of the “ Falls.” This matter of Christmas decoration, we would hope, will yet be indulged iu at soma of the large establishments in town, if not in the present year,-at all events in those which are to follow. For some time past it has been in contemplation (says the Sydney Morning Herald) to make such alterations in the times of arrival aud departure of the mail steamers as would secure to the colony the advantage of a fortnightly service ; hut the unsetiled conditions upon which the Pacific Mail Company had to . carry on their contract have precluded definite action. Upon the assent of the sureties for the contractors to the modified service being obtained, ttie Postal Department have prepared a new time-table to secure the advantage of a fortnightly alternating service. That table was submitted to the New Zealand Government, aud the Postmaster-Gen era! received a telegram from the Postmaster-General of New Zealand ■ to the effect that that colony quite approved of the table submitted, and asked that it should lie brought into force by the Ist January. The Agent-General for New South Wales in Loudon is to be requested by telegram to inform the sureties aud the contractors in London and New York of the time-table which has been agreed upon, and it will be brought into operation simultaneously iu Loudon and Sydney, the date of the departure of the mail via San Francisco from each place being the 3rd January.

iEgles in the Australasian observes:—The American advertiser has struck out for himself a method of entrapping the reader, and relies upon his being amused when fairly in tho toils by the absurdity of the pitfall, or some groteaqueness of illustration. Some of our Australian tradesmen are making headway in a similar direction. Here, for instance, is an ambitious effort:—“£soo reward was offered for the remains of Mr. Abrahams, that perished from thirst in the mallee scrub last summer.' Note.—lf Mr. A. had been supplied with a drink of delicious cool water from oue of Boltrope’s canvas waterbags he would have been alive yet. They are sold all sizes for household, travelling, or field purposes by Boltrope, tentmaker. Burnt Plains.” Following the custom which has obtained for more than half a century in some churches in England, and which had been so successfully revived in Melbourne lately, a flower-service was held in St. Luke’s, Emerald Hill, recently. A flower-sermon was preached, interspersed with a flower-hymn by the Sunday school children, who mustered in large numbers on the occasion.

The capture of sharks in Hobson’s Bay will not (says the Leader), it is said, in future be rewarded by the Government. This will occasion disappointment to those who have fitted up boats and furnished themselves with gear specially for this kind of fishing.

Boroughs. Total Births. Total Deaths, Proportion of Deaths to the 1000 of Population. Auckland 40 17 1 41 Thames 10 c 1 34 Wellington .. S5 31 1 ‘92 Nelson 20 7 1(32 Christchurch 41 IS 140 Dunedin 85 22 0'94 Hokitika . 8 5 172 Total 298 10G —

— 200 Yanis. 400 Yards. 500 Yards. COO Yards. Tl. Pvt. McIntosh 33333 43244 33443 44424 C7 Capt Crowe *.. 32334 43423 32244 304 44 Cl Pvt. Nodder .. 34314 43232 03332 44224 50 Sgt. Harris 33334 43330 32333 33044 57 Pvt. J. Ballinger 43334 43213 22233 33303 57